No cover

17 Sept

Hello, all!

Well, we have been wandering around the high seas seemingly for weeks now. I wonder if Loyd let you read the letter that was addressed to him.

We left Okinawa carrying ground forces of the 5^th Air Corps to Kyushu (Kagoshima Bay),–returned to Okinawa, immediately got order to go to Wakiyama (near Kobe and Osaka) to pick up Prisoners of War. Here no personnel were allowed ashore. There was no need for the ships here. Consequently orders came to return to Okinawa. Just after we had gotten underway we were told to report to Nagasaki (on the west coast of Kyushu) to pick up POW’s. We weren’t so far from there when we were ordered to turn back to Wakiyama because of the typhoon coming up the narrow channel between the Japan Sea and the West China Sea. At the moment we are a hew hours from Wakiyama. We have had consistently bad weather—which makes even the ordinary amenities of human existence difficult to perform—it is almost impossible to sleep, you don’t feel equal to eating much, you break a leg taking a shower, etc.

This whole operation has been rather well fouled-up.

Enclosed are pictures that are not the most becoming.

A box of chocolate chip cookies come just before we left Okinawa. They tasted very fresh—naturally had been well-wrapped as pop did the wrapping. Thanks much—Tom sends his thanks, too, for they are his favorites.

Don’t’ send Christmas packages. If I am not home by Christmas it will only be a month or two after that. Just two weeks ago I received three of last year’s Christmas packages.

We are all in the best of humor, though maybe we haven’t been overworking ourselves for a while.

Lots of love,

Bob

Cover: plain

From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins

USS LST 661

FPO San Fran. Cal.

To: The Cummins’

6109 Greenwood Ave.

Chicago, 37 Illinois

Postmark: U.S. NAVY 30 AUG 1945

Stamp: 6¢ red airmail, 2 3¢ postage due, pen cancelled

Handstamp: POSTAGE DUE, 6 CENTS, purple

Censor: double line, PASSED BY NAVAL CENSOR, with AIR MAIL below, initials THS(?)

1 Oct

2000

Well,

Your long lost son finally returns to pen and ink. You undoubtedly must think that I have long since been consigned to Davy Jones.

We pulled the other LST off the beach, two tugs pulled off a second one, and the third was left there to rot—on Japanese soil. None of the men of any of the three LST’s that were thrown on the rocks were injured, but the damage to the ships was great. About half a dozen men were lost that harbor that night. the crew of a YMS (small minesweeper) abandoned ship just before the ship crashed on the beach, a PBM (float plane) was thrown ashore—each of these lost men—and a few were washed overboard from other ships.

I don’t know what damage was done in other harbors in the area, though we did hear of some ship casualties.

It was definitely a rough night. Early in the evening I went to Bates’ ship. The storm was brewing and I could only stay for a few minutes. They were intending to go to sea to ride out the storm.

It took about four days plus the highest tide of the year for us to pull the LST 965 off the beach. The day after this we left for Okinawa—two LST’s towing two others. This four day run was uneventful. Upon arrival in Okinawa I was well prepared mentally for a few days quiet rest at anchor. the was not to be our fortune. the very same day the four of us were given orders to go to sea to avoid another storm. We went directly west until we were warned that we were in the center of a Jap mine field—over a hundred miles off the coast of China. By this time it was time to start back for Okinawa. We will be in early tomorrow morning. We evaded most of the storm—the only part that we encountered were huge swells (long, low waves). We rolled unpleasantly on these for several days. The towing cable between the other two ships parted once—this was the only towing casualty. We had to travel at one-third speed to minimize the strain on the towing cables. Consequently there were times when we were hardly making any progress.

Upon our last arrival in Okinawa I expected all our mail (3 weeks) to be awaiting us and to be able to get off a letter in answer immediately. The was not to be the case, as they had forwarded all our mail to Kyushu (where we were scheduled to go before the first typhoon.

A number of our men with enough points have been sent back. The captain has enough points. I have been concentrating on navigation so I can take over the job of executive officer if required. The exec will have enough points in a month—I don’t know what will happen at that time. We all think there is a mighty good chance of the ship being back in the states before the end of the year. We are one of the oldest ones out here, and they should have sufficient LST’s without us.

For now, love and hugs,

Bob

7 Nov

1030

Dear ones,

I have been extremely negligent in my correspondence—there is really no excuse.

Much has been happening. The LST complement has been reduced to five officers (we will have six) and about sixty men. Tomorrow Siders Replinger, and Robertson leave the ship for the officers’ pool on Guam—to be reassigned to another ship. McAfee and Stenger will be leaving about the 12^th of the month. At this time I will be executive officer and navigator (probably still gunnery officer, as I asked to retain my division). We will have an imported commanding officer. This will leave the new commanding officer, myself, Shockey, Foveaux, Gordon, and Schmidt—a select group, if I may say so (except for the commanding officer). Stenger and McAfee are leaving under the point system—will travel to New York on a CVE, arriving there Dec 20^th—fortunate!

Of the thirteen men in my division three have already gone, three will be leaving (under the point system) Thursday, another Dec 1^st—making six gunners left on board. We have been playing inter-division basketball and with these few men we have a team that is much superior to the other divisions with overwhelming manpower—our record: 7 wins, no defeats—mainly by top-heavy scores. I have been playing, but am of no great value to the team. Today a box is leaving—it should be at 6109 before Christmas. There is nothing of any real intrinsic value in it, just a few items that I picked up here and there. These will have to suffice for Christmas. The point system will have me released probably Feb 1^st (according to the latest scuttlebutt Jan 1^st)—and I would much rather procure a few items on my homeward trek personally than send money to have everyone buy presents for everyone else.

Aug 16^th I sent a letter to Bureau of Personnel requesting that I be released to enter medical school. any answer is lost or strayed in the Okinawa mail. (We have about three weeks mail missing, though our up-to-date mail is now arriving with fair regularity). It is too late now for even a slightly [carat: possible] affirmative answer to help me any.

Yesterday I applied to Bu Pers for 30 days rehabilitation leave in the states and then reassignment. It will take approximately six weeks to hear from this.

In today’s mail is my request for a place in the Sept 1946 class at N.U. medical school. The reply is to be written to Joan, so you will have all the information first hand.

As for the ship: it will be our here in indefinitely. We had a bad break: if any other officer had inspected us we would probably have gone back—whether we went or not depending upon the length of time the repairs would occupy. We are now alongside the repair ship. We should be here at Saipan approximately three more weeks. Life is fairly pleasant here, though the thermometer is high. My radio is an excellent companion, we can go ashore when we desire, etc.

I am happy to see that you are doing some “gallivanting around.”

The typhoons were an experience. We were probably fortunate in avoiding casualties to men and equipment. Our main concern was whether or not the ship would hold together. In such weather there would hardly be a chance of surviving in the water. that Okinawa storm center is definitely to be avoided. The typhoon season is over, so I doubt if we see again a similar storm—even if we return to Okinawa.

I am not losing my hair—possibly a few strands gone and a few more gray ones, but that’s all.

LST duty for me has been about the best sea duty there is—though the old 661 may look dingy, on the interior it’s clean, very well painted, excellent living conditions. My room has a very “chummy” atmosphere, is the most comfortable of any. If I can’t be with Joan, I desire no other environment during the waiting period. Life is easy, my life is my own, literature is plentiful, I am more than happy—though I am doing everything possible to get home.

Love Bob

Cover: red and blue stripes around perimeter

Stationery: plain 6 X 10

From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins

USS LST 661

FPO San Fran Cal

To: The Cummins’

6109 Greenwood Ave.

Chicago, 37, Illinois

Postmark: U.S. NAVY 30 NOV 1945

Stamp: 6¢ red airmail

29 Nov

2200

Greetings and salutations,

Well, much of the missing mail of September and October caught us—that that the typhoons scattered around with the post office.

About your canning: there was a cartoon I was going to send but I can’t find the magazine now. This harassed couple, in a kitchen that looks as if an atomic bomb had hit it, wondered if the “Campbell people” had that much trouble in doing their canning.

Pop, your calculations as to the amount of education I am entitled to under the GI Bill is not quite correct. I will be entitled to three (at least) calendar years, that is, thirty-six months which is the equivalent of four school years. I will receive $500 for tuition and books for each of this four school years. For subsistence they will give me $90 a month, if Joan goes to school we will get an additional $60 or $150 in cold cash. Who could ask for anything more? This subsistence will of course not be granted during the summer months. I am sure this is all correct.

Pater, as executive officer I too have a new desk. It has huge shelves and drawers galore. I stayed in my cubbyhole, as there wasn’t much difference in the size of the staterooms—my room is co0ler, quieter, the radio would be difficult to change, etc. (Now (from 2200 to 2300) the only station on the air is one that broadcasts to the Japs in Japanese from Saipan).

This fob of executive officer is just one headache after another. I have had almost no time for reading—at least, not as much as I would like to have to myself. All this blasted paper work!

There is a possibility that I’ll be commanding officer of this tub soon—if so, then I can just sit back, taking life easy, signing my name here and there. to the best of my knowledge I’ll be eligible for discharge Feb. 1. From Saipan they’ll allow you to leave 21 days ahead of time. Eligible men are leaving the island rapidly now. If I were commanding officer it would be more difficult to get an officer to replace me, causing, in all probability, more delay. Consequently I am indifferent towards the prospect.

The ship itself will probably go back in two or three months. They have some insane plan whereby the new ships go home for overhaul and then come back here to relieve the old ships that will be junked. So—we lie at anchor for three or four months—with thousands of other ships.

The time is passing rapidly, strangely enough—and I certainly realize that everything can’t be done at once.

Goodnight, loved ones, with plenty of big hugs and kisses—

Bobbie

Cover: plain

From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins

USS LST 661

FPO San Fran. Cal.

To: The Cummins Mansion

6109 Greenwood Ave.

Chicago, 37 Illinois

Postmark: U.S. NAVY 7 DEC 1945

Stamp: 6¢ red airmail

note-sized paper

6 Dec

2200

Guten Abend,

Meet the new commanding officer! Thus it has been for several days now—and the ship is still afloat. The captain left two days ago for transportation to the states and discharge. Tom is exec.

From now on I should have a life of semi-ease—that which comes with “responsibility.” The captain’s quarters are sumptuous indeed—living room, bedroom, head and shower—enormous desk, a couch, breakfast table—what a life!

I had begun to worry about my mental state—with all those transfers—I had nearly a hundred while I was exec. Everywhere I would turn there was something else to do. The hectic period is all past now—but ahead is the organization of close to a new crew.

My other item of new is that we’ll be shoving off soon—tomorrow or the next day—of all places: to the Palau Islands to repatriate the Japs that we shot up about a year. I believe we’ll take them to Yokahama (another place was mentioned, but I forget its name—never heard of it before).

This is the news up to the minute brought to you by your favorite announcer.

I plan to be at Palau in time to have more mail to you by Christmas. If this shouldn’t be the case you do know were I would like to be—and an, except bodily.

Yesterday I had letters from you and Louise. My little sister has probably abandoned hope for me—concerning letter-writing only, of course—maybe I am a hopeless case.

My admission into medical school was the best news I have had in many a day. The future is shaping up wonderfully well—with school and the apartment settled. It’s going to be marvelous to have our own home and lives after so much indefiniteness for so long. The buying of the apartment did take a large chunk of our bank account—but that is what we have been working and saving for. It is by far the soundest investment I could think of.

After getting back I plan to relax for a month or two—after this—before school—I am lacking plans, except for much study—but I’ll have to have some source of income.

The name of that other place that we might take the Japs is Uraga.

Ta, ta—be seeing you—

Love and kisses,

Bob

Cover: plain

From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins

USS LST 661

FPO San Fran. Cal.

To: Mansion Cummins

6109 Greenwood Ave.

Chicago, 37 Illinois

Postmark: U.S. NAVY 12 DEC 1945, stamped “AIR MAIL”

Stamp: 6¢ red airmail

7” x 10.5” paper, gold embossed USN shield, “United States Navy”—also embossed, plain

11 Dec

2300

And soon St. Nicholas will be here—

(That quotation isn’t quite correct, but I never was much of a poet).

This letter at Christmastime is from the same place as last year’s—such an unkind Fate, indeed.

Well, I wonder if you’ll have a tree this year—oh, I know you will—everybody else will be doing the work decorating the tree and pater will sit back in his plush chair surveying the proceedings. Mother would quite likely be in the kitchen baking ice-box cookies (oooh—my mouth waters). Loyd would be complaining because I had a larger handful of icicles than he had. Schwester would be arbitrating—or plotting where to conspicuously plant the mistletoe so that unexpecting David might be caught unawares.

We arrived this afternoon—a bay a short distance north of Peleliu. We now have 800 Japs on board—shove off tomorrow on a ten day trip to Tokyo Bay. The Japs are a miserable looking lot—all army, navy, and marines. Their stay on Babelthoup (sp?) for the last year was not exactly beneficial. Seemingly they have been affected by half the diseases known to man—largely due to lack and quality of food.

May you have a lovely Christmas and an extraordinarily humpty-dumpty superb New Years—

Bob

Cover: red and blue stripes around edge, “Via Air Mail” in blue [don’t recognize the font]

From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins

USS LST 661

FPO San Fran Cal

To: The Cummins

6109 Greenwood Ave.

Chicago, 37, Illinois

Postmark: U.S. NAVY 22 DEC 1945

Stamp: 6¢ red airmail

reverse: some names in pencil, not CRC’s handwriting

5.5” x 9” paper, plain

21 Dec

2300

Salutations,

And a Happy New Year!

We arrived in Tokyo Bay around 1000. Tokyo Bay, of course, is an enormous body of water. Actually we are in a place called Uraga—on the left-hand side of the bay near its entrance—you’ll never find it on a map.

Nothing worthy of note occurred—other than continuous rough weather. After arriving here we learned that it was part of a cyclone that his the home islands—we just can’t seem to avoid them.

The Japs were well-behaved. The sailors really enjoyed keeping them under control—putting them on work details, making certain they toed the mark, et al.

The Japs had the tank deck. All exits from the tank deck were locked except the truck ramp to the main deck—up which they could come to the head and a breath of fresh air. We carefully rationed fresh water to them. For food we cook three 50 gal. cans of rice for them in the morning, 3 cans of beans in the afternoon. This food and other foodstuffs that did not require cooking were given us by the beach—all American food, naturally.

We had almost no contact with the Japs at all—mainly because we were concerned about disease—disentery especially.

6 of the almost 800 died—from effects of malnutrition. Many others were just specters of human beings.

We unloaded them this afternoon, so maybe all of them will make it home by Christmas.

800 doesn’t make much of dent in the millions that have to be transported—but they have a surprising number of ships that are not too apropo for transporting our own men.

Most likely we’ll be here tomorrow, then move a few miles farther down the day to a large naval base—and two or three days there. There might be mail in Yokahama for us—let’s hope so.

There is an actual possibility of snow for Christmas. Snow is predicted tomorrow for northern Honshu—so you know what a drastic temperature we have had in the last ten days.

Again—Happy New Year!

Sweet dreams, much love and even kisses     –Bob

Cover: red and blue stripes around edge, “Via Air Mail” in blue [don’t recognize the font]

From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins

USS LST 661

FPO San Fran Cal.

To: The Cummins

6109 Greenwood Ave.

Chicago, 37, Illinois

Postmark: U.S. NAVY 26 DEC 1945

Stamp: 6¢ red airmail

5.5” x 9” paper, plain

27 Dec

0815

Good morning, chillun’,

Did you have a jolly old Christmas? We have been enjoying our semi-holiday time.

The Japs were unloaded at Uraga. They were happy to get home—though they hadn’t a chance to see the devastation wrought by the war. The next day we sailed up Tokyo Bay a little further to Yokohama. There the captains of the other ships with us and myself convinced the four-striper in charge that we needed some relaxation. Consequently we were granted five days “availability” at Yokosuku, the large naval base near Yokohama. We sailed here the next day, getting in early so that we could have the days’ liberty.

Gordon and I hitch-hiked to Yokohama, where actually there is little left standing to see. The next day I was able to get my jeep ashore (jeep just procured in Saipan). For of us rode and walked thro’ Yokosuku and Yokohama.

Christmas morning about 0300 I was awakened and informed that a powerful wind and sea had recently arisen, that the small boat that had been tied alongside with jeep in it was now at the bottom of the bay and our anchor bearing had shifted considerably. These facts didn’t faze me, so I went back to sleep. At 0400 again I was disturbed because the anchor was still dragging and we were swinging close to another ship. By the time I had put on my long underwear and other cold weather clothing (and mother could never get me to wear long underwear) we were about 75 yards away from the breakwater (which no one else seemed to be able to see). We got underway, going a goodly distance away from danger.

I slept from 0600 until noon, arising just in time for our terrific Christmas dinner. After dinner Gordon and I drove to and thro’ Tokyo. We were unable to get into the palace grounds, but traveled thro’ the rest of the city. Parts of Tokyo were the only modern-appearing items that we have seen in Japan.

There are few if any souveniers that are worth buying. The streets are lined with souvenier shops and they are having land-office sales. The Japs are all friendly—big teethy smiles.

For now, much love—all wishes for a wonderful New Year—

Bob

Cover: red and blue stripes around edge, “Via Air Mail” in blue [don’t recognize the font]

From: Lt(jg) CR Cummins

USS LST 661

FPO San Fran. Cal

To: The Cummins

6109 Greenwood Ave.

Chicago, 37, Illinois

Postmark: U.S. NAVY 31 DEC 1945

Stamp: 6¢ red airmail

reverse: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!/ESTEEMED SISTER/AND BROTHER

5.5” x 9” paper, plain

30 Dec

2200

Dear Ones,

Tomorrow we head for Guam—about a seven day trip for our speed demon. This means mail—seems ages since we had any. In the same mail as this letter I am requesting my release. I should have my answer a few days after we arrive at the Guam.

We are proceeding independently—so hope that we don’t get lost.

I have had a bad cold the last few days, so have done nothing other than take the ship around and play some baseball. We entered a tournament, were defeated in the semi-finals.

From Guam the ship will go somewhere to pick up some more Japs.

I’ll be thinking much of you

–Bob